Modular Anchoring System for Pole Supported Devices

ABSTRACT

A modular anchoring system for pole-supported devices uses a combination of devices for anchoring a pole to a desirable surface. The devices include a common base that is installed on the pole end. The common base may then be anchored to a structural member with opposing sides using a clamp that attaches to the common base, or may be anchored to the ground using a stake and ground base that quickly attaches to the common base. The devices are easily separated when anchoring of the pole is no longer desired.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No.60/926,106, “Modular Anchoring System for Pole Mounted ConsumerProducts” filed Apr. 24, 2007, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates to a system of devices for anchoring a supportpole to a variety of objects and the ground.

2. Description of Related Art

Devices to anchor support poles to a desirable surface, such as astructural member or the ground, are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No.6,401,736 (Jerry) shows both a c-clamp and stake support as parts of anumbrella shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,176 (Berthlaume) shows a staffsupport device for use on a flat surface, or for burial in sand, with achuck mechanism for attachment of the support to the shaft and, in oneembodiment, a pin bayonet mechanism for assembly of the device. U.S.Patent Application Publication 2006/0054772 (Priscott et al.) shows amulti-jointed clamp and stake support with a chuck mechanism forattachment to the shaft. U.S. Patent Application Publication2006/0207640 (Connelly) shows an umbrella with a shaft handle withinterior threads and c-clamp and stake supports that can be threaded tothe handle.

It is desirable that an anchoring system be economical of manufacture,be usable on a wide range of desirable surfaces, including structuralmembers of a large variation in thickness, and be easy to erect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The modular anchoring system for pole-supported devices is a combinationof devices for anchoring a pole to a desirable surface. The pole may beused to display or support a multitude of objects such as umbrellas,banners, flags, signs, shelters, screens, barriers, fishing rods andprojection screens.

A first device of the combination is a common base with a first end anda second end and an outer surface between the ends. The first end has anattachment opening symmetrical about the centerline of the baseproviding means for removable attachment to a pole end. This includesarrangements to either removably or semi-permanently attach the base toa pole to be supported, such as with a screw, rivet, or pin. The commonbase provides anchoring means to anchor the pole no matter what desiredsurface is chosen.

The common base second end has a uniform circular outer surface withanchoring means for removable attachment to a ground base including twoor more attachment projections located at substantially symmetrical arcsof the base periphery and extending beyond the base outer surface toprovide a base attachment connection. The attachment projections have afirst edge, a second edge, an outer edge, and the base second end outersurface defining the upper surface boundary of the projections. Thisupper surface slopes between the first and second edges. The attachmentprojections extend beyond the base second end with a lower surfacearranged to rest upon a substantially flat surface.

The common base outer surface also has an engagement opening anchoringmeans arranged between the first and second ends providing means forremovable attachment to a clamp.

A second device of the combination is a clamp used to anchor to astructure with opposing sides. In one embodiment the clamp has a generalsideways u-shape with an engagement arm to engage the common baseengagement opening at the upper end of the u, providing means forremovable attachment to the common base, and a threaded opening engaginga threaded rod at the lower end. The threaded rod has a handle end usedto turn the threaded rod, and a clamping end configured to engage a flatsurface. To use this clamp, the common base is supported on a firstsurface of a structural member with opposing surfaces. Then engagementarm is engaged with the common base central portion and the threaded rodis tuned so the rod clamping end engages the second surface of thestructural member with opposing surfaces, and provides means foradjustably clamping to a structural member opposing sides by anchoringthe clamp and common base. The pole is, of course, attached to thecommon base and also supported.

In another embodiment the clamp is adjustable with an L-shaped memberand an adjustment mechanism. The L-shaped member upper portion isarranged to enter and engage the common base engagement opening end andthe lower portion is arranged substantially at a right angle to theupper portion. This lower portion has a multiplicity of adjustmentnotches. The adjustment mechanism has a substantially round threadedopening and a substantially rectangular coarse adjustment opening. Thecoarse adjustment opening is sized for passage of the L-shaped memberlower portion when the threaded rod axis at a non-parallel angle to theL-shaped member lower portion axis. The coarse adjustment openingengages one of the L-shaped member lower portion notches when thethreaded rod axis at a parallel angle to the L-shaped member lowerportion axis. To use this clamp one places the common base second end onthe desirable surface of a structural member with an opposing side,engages the clamp interference arm with the common base engagementopening, and turns the clamp handle end to engage the threaded rodclamping end with the opposing side of the desirable surface. Thisremovably anchors the devices on the structural member such that a poleinserted in the common base attachment opening is supported by thedevices.

A means of positively engaging the clamp in the common base includes thecommon base engagement opening containing a set of clamp end engagementsurfaces, a clamp lower engagement protrusion, and a clamp upperengagement spring pin. The clamp engagement arm then has an upperengagement indentation that engages the common base clamp upperengagement spring pin, a lower engagement indentation that engages thecommon base clamp lower engagement protrusion, and a set of endengagement surfaces that engages the common base clamp end engagementsurfaces. Inserting the clamp engagement arm into the common baseengagement opening and positioning it such that the common base featuresengage the clamp features indicates proper placement of the clamp in thebase and removably attaches the clamp to the base.

The third and fourth devices of the combination are used together. Thethird is a ground stake with a body and a head. The body outer surfaceis tapered and the head has a top surface and a lower surface thatextends outside at two or more portions of the body outer surface. Thefourth is a ground base with an outer periphery, a lower side, an upperside, a centrally located stake support protrusion extending beyond theupper side to a protrusion upper surface, and two or more support tabs.There is a stake support opening providing means for removableattachment to the ground between the lower side and the stake supportprotrusion upper surface that receives the ground stake outer surfacethrough the opening and provide supportive contact between theprotrusion upper surface and the inserted stake head lower surface. Thebase outer periphery extends beyond the upper side and has an internalperiphery engagement slot arranged to engage the common base second endattachment projection outer edges, and a multiplicity of support tabsthat match the number of attachment projections on the common base andprovide means for removable attachment to the common base. These supporttabs are arranged in substantially symmetrical arcs. Each one has anupper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface defining anengagement slot between the surface and the ground base upper side. Theslot is arranged to engage the common base attachment projections. Thesedevices are used by placing the ground base lower side on a desirableground surface and driving a stake body through the ground base openingsuch that the ground base is removably attached to the ground by contactwith the stake head providing means for attaching the ground base to theground. Then the common base is inserted in the ground base internalperiphery engagement guide and turned to engage the attachmentprojections between the ground base support tabs and upper side. Thisremovably anchors the devices to the desirable ground surface. Objectsand Advantages

One object of the present invention is to provide a pole anchoringsystem for use on multiple desirable surfaces.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a pole anchoringsystem in which one device of the system may be connected to the poleand used to anchor the pole to multiple desirable surfaces.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a pole anchoringsystem that requires minimal time to anchor the pole.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a pole anchoringsystem which accommodates a broad range of desirable surface dimensionsand compositions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention can be obtainedby considering the detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the common base.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the common base with a pole end engagedwith the base.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the common base engaged with a supportpole for an umbrella.

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of the common base and a clamp engagedwith a structural member. The clamp embodiment has an engagement armwith a threaded opening for the threaded rod.

FIG. 4 b is a perspective view of the common base and a clamp engagedwith a structural member. The clamp embodiment has a coarse adjustmentfor the thickness of the structural member.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the common base engaged with a clamp and thecombination of devices engaged with a structural member. The location ofthe cross-section of FIG. 6 is shown in this figure.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the common base engaged with aclamp.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are a side view of the common base engaged with anembodiment of a clamp that has an adjustment for thickness of thestructural member. These views illustrate the adjustment process.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the common base engaged with a clampand the combination of devices engaged with an example structuralmember, a picnic table.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the ground base.

FIG. 12 a is a perspective exploded view illustrating the assembly ofthe ground base, a round cross-section stake, the common base, and apole end.

FIG. 12 b is a perspective exploded view illustrating the assembly ofthe ground base, a cruciform cross-section stake, the common base, and apole end.

FIG. 12 c is a perspective exploded view illustrating the assembly ofthe ground base, a cruciform cross-section stake with an extended head,the common base, and a pole end.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the common base engaged with the ground base.The location of the cross-section of FIG. 14 is shown in this figure.

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the common base engaged with theground base and the ground base engaged with a stake driven into theground.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the common base engaged with the groundbase and a support pole for an umbrella with the ground base engagedwith a stake driven into the ground.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the ground base engaged with a stake driveninto the ground. This figure illustrates the use of a prying tool toengage a ground base lower section discontinuity to remove the groundbase and stake from the ground.

FIG. 17 is a perspective exploded view illustrating the assembly of anembodiment of the ground base and a round cross-section stake with athreaded attachment to the common base.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

These reference numbers are used in the drawings to refer to areas orfeatures of the invention.

-   100 pole-   102 common base-   104 attachment opening-   106 attachment projections-   108 attachment projection first edge-   110 attachment projection second edge-   112 attachment projection outer edge-   114 upper sloping surface-   116 engagement opening-   118 base clamp end engagement surfaces-   120 base clamp upper engagement spring pin-   122 base clamp lower engagement protrusion-   124 fastener opening-   125 fastener-   126 pole stop-   140 clamp-   142 engagement arm-   144 threaded opening-   146 threaded rod-   148 clamping end-   150 handle end-   152 adjustable clamp-   154 L-shaped member-   156 L-shaped member upper portion-   158 L-shaped member lower portion-   160 adjustment notches-   162 adjustment mechanism-   164 coarse adjustment opening-   166 lower engagement indentation-   168 upper engagement indentation-   170 end engagement surfaces-   176 retaining protrusion-   180 ground base-   182 internal periphery engagement guide-   184 stake support protrusion-   186 support protrusion upper surface-   188 common base support tab-   190 engagement slot-   192 stake support opening-   194 ground base discontinuity-   200 stake-   202 stake body-   204 stake head-   206 stake head lower surface-   208 stake head upper surface-   210 stake head extension-   240 threaded engagement-   300 prying device-   400 structural member

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The modular anchoring system for pole-supported devices is a combinationof devices for anchoring the pole to a desirable surface such as nearthe edge of a structural member with opposing sides, or the ground. Thecommon base (102) as shown in several embodiments in FIGS. 1 through 10,FIGS. 12 a through 15, and FIG. 17, is a central feature of theinvention. This device provides attachment to the pole, which isinserted in the attachment opening (104) placed symmetrically on thecenterline of the common base (102), and the pole is attached using afastener (example screw, rivet, or pin) through the fastener opening(124) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The common base (102) then providesanchoring of the pole to a variety of surfaces using the other devicesof the system. An example of the common base attached to a pole, whichin turn is supporting an umbrella is shown in FIG. 3. To accommodatepoles that may be tapered at the end inserted into the common base, apole stop (126) as shown in FIGS. 6 and 14 is used to prevent the pointof the pole from bearing on the lower parts of the common base.

The common base (102) end opposite the attachment opening (104) has aset of attachment projections (106) located in symmetrical arcs of thecommon base substantially round periphery that provide a base attachmentconnection. There are three attachment projections (106) in theembodiment shown in the figures, but there may be as few as two andthere could be more than three. Each attachment projection extends outfrom the outer surface of the common base (102) at the end to form afirst edge (108), second edge (110) and an outer edge (112). The edgesdefine an upper sloping surface (114) that slopes between the first edge(108) and second edge (110). The lower surface of the attachmentprojections forms a flat surface that may be used to provide stabilityof the common base (102) on a surface. There are engagement openings(116) in the surface of the common base (102) located between the endwith the attachment opening (104) and the end with the attachmentprojections (106). These openings may be through openings as shown or asingle opening. In either embodiment the opening is shaped, and providessurfaces at the entry opening and near the end of the opening, to beused with the clamp (140). The surfaces contain the base clamp endengagement surfaces (118) and the base clamp lower engagement protrusion(122). Projecting into the opening, near the end of the opening, is abase clamp upper engagement spring pin (120). This provides a positiveengagement with the clamp.

The adjustable clamp (152), shown in FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and10, is used to support the common base (102) near the edge of astructural member (400) with opposing surfaces. Two embodiments of theclamp are shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. The clamp embodiment in FIG. 4 ahas an engagement arm (142) arranged to engage the common base (102)engagement opening (116). The opposite end of the engagement arm (142)has a threaded opening (144) arranged with a threaded rod (146). The endof the threaded rod (146) facing the engagement arm (142) surface thatengages the common base engagement opening (116) has a clamping end(148) that engages the opposing side of the structural member from theside the common base (102) attachment projections engage. The oppositeend of the threaded rod (146) is the handle end (150). The handle isused to turn the rod to adjust the clamp to the thickness of thestructural member and to clamp the common base (102) to the structuralmember by tightening the clamp threaded rod (146) to anchor the systemto the structural member by the force exerted between the common base(102) attachment projections (106) lower surface and the clamping end(148) of the clamp threaded rod.

An embodiment of the clamp (140) to accommodate anchoring to a widerrange of thicknesses of structural members is the adjustable clamp (152)shown in FIGS. 4 b and 5 through 10. This embodiment has two pieces, anL-shaped member (154) and an adjustment mechanism (162). The L-shapedmember (154) has an upper portion (156) that has a surface that engagesthe common base (102) engagement opening (116). At approximately a rightangle to the upper portion (156) is the lower portion (158) that hasadjustment notches (160) in two opposing sides of the lower portion(158). Another embodiment may have notches in just one of the sides. Theadjustment mechanism (162) has a threaded opening (144) and a coarseadjustment opening (164) shown in the cross-section view of FIG. 6. Thethreaded opening (144) is arranged with a threaded rod (146). One end ofthe threaded rod (146) has a clamping end (148) that engages theopposing side of the structural member from the common base (102) andthe other end is the handle end (150). The coarse adjustment opening(164) is shaped to fit over the L-shaped member (154) lower portion(158) and an upper and lower edge retaining protrusion (176) is shapedto engage the adjustment notches (160). The coarse adjustment opening(164) axis is at an acute angle to the threaded rod (146) axis on theside with the threaded rod clamping end (148). This angle is obtained bycreating a “dog leg” in the adjustment mechanism (162) as shown, or, inan embodiment, may be created by forming the coarse adjustment opening(164) at an angle to the threaded opening (144). The angle is selectedso when the threaded rod (146) axis is at a non-parallel angle to theL-shaped member lower portion (158) axis, the adjustment mechanism (162)is free to slide along the length of the L-shaped member lower portion(158) as shown in FIG. 7. Conversely, when the adjustment mechanism(162) is rotated as shown in FIG. 8, the threaded rod (146) axis isturned to become essentially parallel to the L-shaped member lowerportion (158) axis as shown in FIG. 9. In this position, the coarseadjustment opening (164) edges engage the L-shaped member adjustmentnotches (160) preventing relative movement in relation to the L-shapedmember (154). This provides a coarse adjustment for the thickness of thestructural member. The threaded rod then provides the fine adjustment.

As shown in FIGS. 4 b, 7, 8, and 9, a retaining protrusion (176),example a pin, may be installed in the L-shaped member lower portion(158) below the adjustment notches (160) after assembly of theadjustment mechanism (162) on the L-shaped member (154). This preventsthe adjustment mechanism (162) from disengaging from the L-shaped member(154) while the L-shaped member upper portion (156) is being engagedwith the common base (102).

A mechanism for indicating to the installer when the either clamp (140)is correctly engaged and for providing positive engagement with thecommon base (102) is shown in FIG. 6. The common base (102) has baseclamp engagement surfaces (118), and the base clamp lower engagementprotrusion (122) located so as to mate with the end engagement surfaces(170) and the lower engagement indentation (166) on both the clamp(140), FIG. 4 a, and the adjustable clamp (152), FIG. 4 b. In addition abase clamp upper engagement spring pin (120) on the common base (102)mates with the upper engagement indentation (168) on the clamp (140) andthe adjustable clamp (152). This pin inserts into the indentation by thespring force, providing positive engagement.

An example use of the adjustable clamp (152) with the common base (102)to support an umbrella on a structural member (400) is shown in FIG. 10.

A stake (200) and a ground base (180) are used to support the commonbase (102) on the ground. The ground base (180) is shown in FIGS. 11, 12a, 12 b, 12 c, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The base is configured to beremovably attached to the ground by the stake, and to quickly and easilyremovably attach to and support the common base (102). The outerperiphery of the ground base (180) is shown in a round embodiment, butmay be of any shape that allows a round inner periphery engagement guide(182) raised beyond, and normal to, the ground base upper side, andsized to allow insertion of the common base (102) periphery. The upperside of the ground base (180) has stake support protrusions (184), eachwith a support protrusion upper surface (186) as shown in FIG. 11. Thestake support protrusion (184) has a stake support opening (192) betweenthe support protrusion upper surface (186) and the ground base lowerside. This opening is shaped and sized for both a round stake (200) asshown in FIG. 12 a, and a cruciform stake (200) as shown in FIGS. 12 band 12 c. Alternate embodiments may be shaped and sized for one shape orthe other.

Either stake (200) shape, as shown in FIGS. 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c, has astake body (202) and a stake head (204) with a head lower surface (206)and a head upper surface (208). The lower head surface is formed by thehead being larger than the stake body (202) outer surface so the headwill engage the ground base. The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 c has asteak head extension (210) that provides a greater distance between thehead lower surface (206) and the head upper surface (208).

Multiple support tabs (188) are arranged substantially symmetricallyaround the periphery engagement guide (182). The embodiment in thedrawings shows three support tabs (188). There may be more or less thanthree to match the number of attachment projections (106) on the commonbase (102). The symmetry, or peripheral angle covered, of the supporttabs (188) is also arranged to match that of the attachment projections(106) on the common base (102). The support tabs (188) lower side formsan engagement slot (190) between the support tab (188) lower side andthe ground base upper side that is used to anchor the common base (102).There are projections from the lower side of the ground base (180) outerperiphery in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 through 17, that form oneor more discontinuities (194) arranged around the ground base (180)outer periphery. Alternate embodiments may have a flat lower side.

The ground base (180) is supported on the ground by placing it's lowersides at a desired location on the ground, placing a stake (200) bodyend in the ground base (180) stake support opening (192) and driving thestake into the ground by striking the stake head upper surface (208)with a hammer until the stake head lower surface (206) contacts theground base support protrusion upper surface (186). This anchors theground base (180) to the ground. The common base (102) attachmentprojections (106) are then fully inserted into the ground base innerperiphery engagement guide (182), and the ground base (180) is rotatedso the attachment tab (106) first edge inserts into the ground baseengagement slot (190) between the ground base upper side and the supporttabs (188) lower side. The thickness of the common base attachmentprojections (106) varies due to the upper sloping surface (114) of theattachment projection (106). As the common base is rotated into theground base engagement slot (190), due to the sizing of the slot, theupper sloping surface (114) of the attachment projection (106) engagesthe ground base support tabs (188) lower side, which anchors the commonbase (102) to the ground base (180) which in turn is anchored to theground by the stake (200), as shown in the cross-section of FIG. 14.

The stake (200) embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is the stake with a steakhead extension (210). As shown, the steak head extension (210) placesthe stake head upper surface (208) near a lower end of the common base(102) internal cavity. This embodiment provides improved stability ofthe device in very loose ground, such as sand. The other stakeembodiments are not shown in cross-section but are in FIGS. 12 a, 12 b,and 12 c.

An example of the common base (102) anchored to the ground whilesupporting an umbrella is shown in FIG. 15.

Operation

The modular anchoring system for pole-supported devices quickly anchorsa pole to a structural member with opposing sides or to the ground. Thecommon base (102) is attached to the pole. This attachment may be by aremovable fastener (125), such as the thumbscrew shown in FIGS. 12 a, 12b, and 12 c, or a semi-permanent attachment using a pin or rivet. Whendesired to anchor the pole to a structural member the lower surface ofthe common base (102) attachment projections (106) are placed on onesurface of the structural member. The clamp (140) is inserted into thecommon base (102) engagement opening (116). In one embodiment, thecoarse adjustment opening (164) is adjusted to the thickness of thestructural member and the threaded rod (146) handle end (150) is turnedto engage the threaded rod clamping end (148) with the opposing surfaceof the structural member. In another, only the threaded rod (146) handleend (150) is turned to engage the threaded rod clamping end (148) withthe opposing surface of the structural member. This engagement anchorsthe common base (102) to the structural member by the clamping forcebetween the common base (102) attachment projections (106) and thethreaded rod clamping end (148).

Removal of the modular anchoring system for pole-supported devices fromthe structural member is easily accomplished by turning the threaded rod(146) handle end (150) is turned to disengage the threaded rod clampingend (148) with the opposing surface of the structural member. The clamp(140) may then be removed from the common base (102).

When desired to anchor the pole to the ground, the ground base (180) isplaced at the desired location. A stake (200) is inserted into theground base (180) stake support opening (192) and driven into the grounduntil the stake head lower surface (206) contacts the ground basesupport protrusion upper surface (186). This anchors the ground base(180) to the ground. The common base (102) is inserted into the groundbase (180) ground base inner periphery engagement guide (182). Thecommon base (102) is then rotated to anchor it to the ground base (180).

Removal of the modular anchoring system for pole-supported devices fromthe ground is easily accomplished by turning the common base (102) todisengage it from the ground base (180). If desired, the ground base(180) may easily be disengaged from the ground by using a prying device(300) (example a claw hammer) to engage the ground base discontinuity(194) opening and prying the stake (200) out of the ground as shown inFIG. 16. This provides means for assisting removal from the ground.

Alternate Embodiments

Another alternate embodiment of the modular anchoring system forpole-supported devices is shown in FIG. 17. Here the ground base (180)has a threaded engagement (240) that is sized to mate with a common base(102) threaded engagement (240). This embodiment has the ground baseanchored on the ground by a stake (200) and the common base (102) isanchored to the ground base (180) by engaging the common base (102)threaded engagement (240) with the ground base (180) threaded engagement(240) and turning the common base until the threads are fully engaged.

Another feature of the embodiment in FIG. 17 is a common base (102) thatdecreases the distance from the attachment opening (104) to theengagement opening (116). This provides a more economical compact base.Those familiar with the art will recognize this shorter distanceembodiment may also be used with the other embodiments.

Those familiar with the art recognize there are many possibleapplications and variations for the modular anchoring system forpole-supported devices other than the embodiments recited. Thisrecitation of the preferred and other embodiments is not intended todefine or constrain the invention; rather the claims define theinvention.

1. A combination of devices for anchoring a support pole to a desirablesurface comprising: a. a common base with a first end and a second endand an outer surface between the ends, the first end with an attachmentopening substantially symmetrical about the centerline of the basearranged to removably attach to and support the end of the pole; b. thecommon base second end with anchoring means comprising a base outersurface and two or more attachment projections located at substantiallysymmetrical arcs of the base periphery and extending beyond the baseouter surface with a first edge, a second edge, an outer edge and thebase second end outer surface defining an upper surface boundary, theupper surface arranged with a slope between the first and second edgesthe attachment projections also extending beyond the second end with alower surface arranged to rest upon a substantially flat surface; and c.the common base outer surface with another anchoring means comprising anengagement opening arranged between the first and second ends wherebythe common base supportively attaches to a pole and is arranged withmultiple attachment means.
 2. The combination of devices as in claim 1further comprising a clamp with an engagement arm arranged to engage thecommon base engagement opening and a threaded opening arranged to engagea threaded rod with a handle end and a clamping end, the handle endarranged to turn the threaded rod and the clamping end arranged toengage a surface, such that the common base is supported on a firstsurface of a structural member with opposing surfaces and the clampengagement arm engages the common base central portion while thethreaded rod is turned such that the rod clamping end engages the secondsurface of the structural member with opposing surfaces whereby thecommon base supportively attaches to a pole and is supportively engagedwith a structural member.
 3. The combination of devices as in claim 1further comprising an adjustable clamp arranged with an L-shaped memberand an adjustment mechanism, the L-shaped member with an upper portionarranged to enter and engage the common base engagement opening end anda lower portion arranged substantially at a right angle to the upperportion and further arranged with a multiplicity of adjustment notches,the adjustment mechanism arranged with a substantially round threadedopening and a coarse adjustment opening, the coarse adjustment openingarranged for passage of the L-shaped member lower portion with thethreaded rod axis at a non-parallel angle to the L-shaped member lowerportion axis, and for engagement with one of the L-shaped member lowerportion notches with the threaded rod axis at a parallel angle to theL-shaped member lower portion axis, wherein placing the common basesecond end on the desirable surface of a structural member with anopposing side, engaging the clamp L-shaped member upper portion with thecommon base engagement opening and turning the clamp handle end toengage the threaded rod clamping end with the opposing side of thedesirable surface removably anchors the devices on the structural memberwhereby the common base supportively attaches to a pole and issupportively engaged with a structural member.
 4. The combination ofdevices as in claim 2 further comprising: a. the common base engagementopening contains a set of clamp end engagement surfaces, a clamp lowerengagement protrusion, and a clamp upper engagement spring pin; and b.the clamp engagement arm has an upper engagement indentation arranged toengage the common base clamp upper engagement spring pin, a lowerengagement indentation arranged to engage the common base clamp lowerengagement protrusion, and a set of end engagement surfaces arranged toengage the common base clamp end engagement surfaces whereby insertingthe clamp engagement arm into the common base engagement opening andpositioning it such that the common base features in a. engage the clampfeatures in b. indicates proper placement of the clamp in the base andremovably attaches the clamp to the base.
 5. The combination of devicesas in claim 3 further comprising: a. the common base engagement openingcontains a set of clamp end engagement surfaces, a clamp lowerengagement protrusion, and a clamp upper engagement spring pin; and b.the clamp engagement arm has an upper engagement indentation arranged toengage the common base clamp upper engagement spring pin, a lowerengagement indentation arranged to engage the common base clamp lowerengagement protrusion, and a set of end engagement surfaces arranged toengage the common base clamp end engagement surfaces whereby insertingthe clamp engagement arm into the common base engagement opening andpositioning it such that the common base features in a. engage the clampfeatures in b. indicates proper placement of the clamp in the base andremovably attaches the clamp to the base.
 6. The combination of devicesas in claim 1 further comprising: a. a stake with a body with an outersurface and a head with a top surface and a lower surface; and b. aground base arranged with an outer periphery, a lower side, an upperside, a centrally located stake support protrusion extending beyond theupper side to a protrusion upper surface, and two or more support tabs,the base with a stake support opening between the lower side and thestake support protrusion upper surface arranged to receive a groundstake outer surface through the opening and provide supportive contactbetween the protrusion upper surface and the inserted stake head lowersurface, the outer periphery extending beyond the upper side andarranged with an internal periphery engagement guide arranged to engagethe common base second end attachment projection outer edges, and amultiplicity of common base support tabs matching the number ofattachment projections on the common base, arranged in substantiallysymmetrical arcs with an upper surface and a lower surface, the lowersurface defining an engagement slot between the surface and the groundbase upper side, the slot arranged to engage the common base attachmentprojections, wherein placing the ground base lower side on a grounddesirable surface, driving a stake body through the ground base openingsuch that the ground base is removably attached to the ground by contactwith the stake head lower surface, and inserting the common base in theground base internal periphery engagement guide and turning the commonbase to engage the engagement slot between the ground base support tabsand upper side removably anchors the devices to the desirable groundsurface.
 7. The combination of devices as in claim 6 where the supportopening receives a round cross-section stake body.
 8. The combination ofdevices as in claim 6 where the support opening receives a cruciformcross-section stake body.
 9. The combination of devices as in claim 6further comprising the stake with a stake head extension arranged toincrease the distance between the head top surface and lower surface.10. The combination of devices as in claim 6 where the ground base outerperiphery extends beyond the lower side and is arranged with one or morediscontinuities arranged such that with the base attached to the groundby the stake, a prying device may be inserted through the discontinuityto pry between the ground and the base lower side to remove the base andstake from the ground.
 11. A system for anchoring a pole to a desirablesurface comprising: a. a common base, a clamp, a ground base, and astake, the common base arranged with means for removable attachment to aground base, means for removable attachment to the clamp, and means forremovable attachment to a pole end; b. the clamp arranged with means foradjustably clamping to a structural member opposing sides and means forremovable attachment to the common base; c. the ground base arrangedwith means for removable attachment to the ground using the stake andfurther arranged with means for removable attachment to the common base;d. the stake with a body with means for attaching the ground base to theground.
 12. The system as in claim 11 where the clamp and common basehave means for positive engagement of the clamp.
 13. The system as inclaim 11 further comprising the ground base has means for assistingremoval from the ground.
 14. The system as in claim 11 where the groundbase means for removable attachment to the ground is a roundcross-section stake.
 15. The system as in claim 11 where the ground basemeans for removable attachment to the ground is a cruciformcross-section stake.
 16. The system as in claim 11 where the stake has astake head extension arranged to increase the distance between the headtop surface and lower surface
 17. The system as in claim 11 where theground base means for removable attachment to the common base is a baseattachment connection arranged such that insertion of the common baseinto the ground base and turning the common base provides removableattachment of the system devices.
 18. The system as in claim 11 wherethe ground base means for removable attachment to the common base is athreaded connection arranged such that engaging the threads and turningthe common base provides removable attachment of the system devices. 19.A support rod attachment device comprising a common base with an upperend arranged to attach to a support rod end, a lower end arranged toattach to a ground base and also arranged to be supported on a surfaceof a structural member with opposing surfaces, and a central portionbetween the ends arranged to engage a clamp.
 20. The device of claim 19further comprising a ground base with a central section arranged toengage a stake, an upper section arranged to attach to the common base,and a lower section arranged to be supported on the ground, the stakearranged to be driven in the ground and removably engage the ground basesuch that the ground base is removably attached to the ground whenground support of the common base is desired.
 21. The device of claim 20where the stake has a body with a round cross-section.
 22. The device ofclaim 20 where the stake has a body with a cruciform cross-section. 23.The device of claim 20 where the stake has a stake head extensionarranged to increase the distance between the head top surface and lowersurface.
 24. The device of claim 20 where the ground base lower sectionis arranged with one or more discontinuities arranged such that with thebase supported on the ground and attached by the stake, a prying devicemay be inserted through the discontinuity to pry between the ground andthe base lower section to remove the base and stake from the ground. 25.The device of claim 19 further comprising a clamp with an engagement armarranged to engage with the common base central portion and a threadedopening arranged to engage a threaded rod with a handle end and aclamping end such that the common base is supported on a first surfaceof a structural member with opposing surfaces and the clamp engagementarm engages the common base central portion while the threaded rod istuned such that the rod clamping end engages second surface of thestructural member with opposing surfaces when structural member supportis desired.
 26. The device of claim 25 where the clamp engagement arm isarranged with an L-shaped member and an adjustment mechanism, theL-shaped member with an upper portion arranged to enter and engage thecommon base central portion and a lower portion arranged substantiallyat a right angle to the upper portion and further arranged with amultiplicity of adjustment notches on at least one side, the adjustmentmechanism with a threaded opening engaging the threaded rod, and asubstantially rectangular coarse adjustment opening arranged for passageof the L-shaped member lower portion with the threaded rod axis at anon-parallel angle to the L-shaped member lower portion axis, andfurther arranged to engage one or more of the L-shaped member adjustmentnotches when the threaded rod is at a parallel angle to the L-shapedmember lower portion axis, wherein the position of the adjustmentmechanism on the L-shaped member lower portion is varied when engagingdifferent thickness structural members is desirable.
 27. The device ofclaim 25 where the clamp engagement arm and the common base have meansfor positive engagement of the clamp.
 28. The device of claim 26 wherethe clamp engagement arm and the common base have means for positiveengagement of the clamp.